Oscar LeRoy: A trio of area teams start district with big wins

By Oscar LeRoySports Writer

Published 7:00 pm, Sunday, October 11, 2009

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Oscar LeRoy: A trio of area teams start district with big wins

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It was Friday night in early October and one could feel the bitter chill that you tend to feel on the South Plains during this time of year. Yet, it was perfect not only as far as football weather is concerned, but for the Big Spring Steers as they celebrated a rare victory at Wolfforth Frenship’s Tiger Stadium.

The 28-14 victory was not only the first for the Steers over Frenship in 10 long years, but it gave Big Spring (6-0) a very important victory to begin District 4-4A play.

After the game as the Steers huddled around head coach Phillip Ritchey, he congratulated his team on the big win and then added, “Now let’s go undefeated.” The players let out a big collective roar in approval.

That’s what happens when a team, which has never had much success against one opponent, finally achieves glory and in some ways gives redemption for anyone who had doubted its previous success. Yes, the Steers feel like they’re on top of the 4-4A world right now and they should. They are playing well and they just beat one of the big boys not only of the district and but the region for the past few years.

“This was a huge win for us against a very good Frenship team with a lot of tradition,” Ritchey said. “Frenship does not get beat very often.”

The Steers, who are now ranked No. 7 in the latest Associated Press Class 4A poll, have never really lacked in confidence this season, but this win should give this team a really big boost with some tough games still ahead in district. Getting that first win in districts is always huge, but when a team can beat one of the top dogs in a competitive league, that’s even better.

Big Spring wasn’t the only team to get a signature win to begin district play. Over in 3-3A, Monahans rolled over Seminole, 42-14, in surprising fashion. While in District 4-2A, Crane got a big road victory, 35-14, over Kermit.

Another thing that Big Spring, Monahans (6-0, 1-0) and Crane (5-1, 1-0) have in common in addition to these big victories to begin their respective districts, is that they close district play with an opponent almost just as tough as the team they opened with. Big Spring has to go to Hereford on Nov. 6, Monahans will close with always-tough Greenwood, and Crane ends district play by hosting Alpine.

Don’t crown any of these teams champions yet as they still have a lot to prove over the next coming weeks. Last week’s victories just gives them a leg up in their tough districts.

You can bet Monahans coach Mickey Owens is not taking anything for granted.

“It was a great win, but anytime you get a win over a quality district opponent like Seminole, it’s big,” said Owens, whose team is now ranked No. 5 in the AP Class 3A poll. “It doesn’t really matter who you play, the only thing that matters right now is that you’re tied with half of the teams in your district for first place.”

Still, a win against a quality district opponent can only help in a kid’s confidence.

“It’s good anytime you get that first win, especially against a team like Kermit,” Crane coach Naldo Esparza said. “I feel like (Kermit) after winning the district title last year had the confidence going into that game. For us to get a win against them, should help us from a confidence standpoint in going forward with the rest of district.”

While those victories were huge for those three programs, the challenge now is staying focused and guarding against a letdown this week. Plainview (2-4, 0-1) visits Big Spring, Andrews (2-4, 1-0) heads to Monahans, and Crane goes to struggling Reagan County (1-5, 0-1). Esparza said overconfidence won’t be a problem with his Golden Cranes.

“That’s one thing you always worry about is having a letdown,” Esparza admitted. “But this group of kids has been unique with the way they have been able to come to work every day and stay focused.”

Good work ethic and maturity are two ingredients that each of those winning programs have. It was a good start to district, now let’s see how far they can go.